A Legal Trap Ch. 07

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

March 11th, 1:41 PM

I had to think about whether I wanted to reply to Paul and if I did what I should say. There was no denying there being an attraction, but his fears of reconciling who I truly was, was sobering. From coworkers to something more, was that even possible after arguably a stress filled last couple days of working to find Amber?

He knew who I was before I became myself, the real me, Elizabeth. Was his attraction to me kink related? We'd both seen enough porn in the last forty-eight hours to last a lifetime and I'm sure he found my past life's content online. Was that his want, that former version of myself?

It wasn't like I hadn't experienced his reaction a few times before. In those cases the men either didn't know I was Trans or ignored it completely, though it was clearly spelled out on my online dating profiles. Some guys just wanted to fill some fantasy in their minds and I was it, the proverbial 'chick with a dick'. It was troubling the lengths they'd go through to get my attention. Pictures of cocks were their introductions - mostly.

Of course when I told some of those guys who thought they wanted to date me I was Trans, they went running. It was frustrating, that they could like the person they were talking with online, in text messages, and even Facetime a few times. But somehow being Trans was never part of the equation for them or how they would reconcile that with their families or friends. My profile clearly stated I was Trans and they knew! I never hid that from anyone after I gave up my old life.

It was just part of this phase of my transition I would likely have to deal with many more times in the future. I prayed one day it wouldn't matter - that was probably a pipe dream, a fantasy, an unrealistic want given how anti-Trans the country had become of late. The bible thumping 'right' was happy to condemn me, all while ignoring that damn book and trying to bed me. Fucking hypocrites.

The difference with Paul though was he knew about me and he knew much more about my past than I cared for any man I had the slightest romantic interest in knowing about. Same set of fears I have dealt with on my side of the equation, same frustrations about not being complete enough for him. The difference was I truly thought Paul was different - but I feared the unknown.

He seemed comfortable being around me, talking to me, and even argued / disagreed with me on many things in a sane manner. None of that scared him away, the person I was, my personality. It was hard for me to accept he couldn't overcome my not being CIS enough. He had to have thought this shit over right? Why did he try to kiss me?

If he'd have just said 'See ya.' at my door and not come back I would have gotten it completely - not interested, no harm, no foul. But he didn't do that, he kissed me. He put himself in my orbit, saying he was interested in more. Would it have mattered if I was fully who I was supposed to be? Only one way to find out, I looked at my phone and began typing.

"We should talk. Meet in the lobby at 6. Wear comfortable shoes. There's a park about a mile from here. Let's go for a walk and see what we think about last night."

I read it twice, removed 'We should talk' and 'and see what we think about last night'. Read it again and pressed 'Send'.

Not twenty seconds later I had my reply.

"Thank you. See you at 6 in the lobby."

I was nervous, but what did I have to lose? It's going to be what it's going to be. I needed to not over-think any of this, to not anticipate how the conversation was going to go and twist and turn those words into something they weren't. 'Good luck with that' I thought absently.

I clicked out of iMessenger and pulled up Janet's phone number. I was dreading this call, but pressed the button to make the call. On the third ring she answered.

"Elizabeth... How are things going?" she said almost too cheery, relaxed.

"They are good Miss Larson. Amber is home resting, the Carson's continue to work with the authorities. Not much is really going on that I'm aware of." All of that was true.

There was a momentary pause, almost like one of us had bad cell phone coverage, but she jumped into asking questions and I stammered to reply to them without lying or giving away too much of the truth.

How was Jacob? What were the Carson's doing about Amber long term? Were they any closer to knowing more about this 'David' character? That question made me wonder how she'd found that out, as I had only found out today the man's first name. Was there anything useful the doctor told authorities? Was the FBI investigating?

"I spoke with Jacob an hour ago, sounds like he was going to release you to come back to Seattle. You'll have ticketing information in an email later tonight. We agreed that a Sunday return would work best? Gives you a chance to decompress, enjoy the nice weather, take in some sights maybe. You deserve a little break, I'm sure it's been stressful these last couple days."

I wasn't sure what to think about getting to go home, but realistically it only made sense that eventually I'd be going home. It was a nice gesture to let me stay over the weekend, especially since all my expenses were being picked up by the firm. What could I say?

"That would be great Miss Larson. I would enjoy a few more days here. Thank You. I, guess I will see you Monday morning then."

"Excellent. Oh, Elizabeth... If something significant breaks free, I would like to be notified immediately, understood?"

"Of course Miss Larson, I will do that."

"Alright then, well, enjoy your down time. We've got plenty of work here waiting for you. Good bye Elizabeth."

"Good...," and the call was clearly over, I thought the word 'bye' for my own satisfaction. She must have been in a hurry to get off the line, no less rude though.

Janet was an interesting woman, driven, and not likely to be put into a corner without a fight. I had seen her during cross-examination on a DUI case and she was merciless in getting legal points made to get her defendant acquitted. I wasn't sure why she had to be in the know about everything about Amber, but since I didn't want to lose this job I was going to do whatever I was told to do - within reason given Jacob had said not to mention what was going on to her. Augh!

Too many high-level, high-powered people I was trying to please all at once. More like dodge, while trying not to be squished by any of them. I think I will be happy to get back to my job and the mundane legal research I did for Brandt, Larson, and Wentz before this missing persons detour.

March 11th, 6:07 PM

I was running late, stayed to long at the pool and then over-slept the power nap I thought I could sneak in before meeting Paul. I was rushed dressing, getting my hair to do what I wanted, and deciding on what I should wear. Too many things were giving my brain a cramp right now and I was annoyed about being late. I needed to let all this crap go and try to squash my OCD tendencies. No, I'm sure I was in the deep end of the OCD pool, no tendencies, I was a wreck!

I turned the corner to the lobby just as Paul was checking his phone, probably for the time.

"Sorry I'm late. Note to self, set two alarms and get a wakeup call from the front desk if you're going to take a nap." I huffed that out way too fast when I was within earshot.

He chuckled, "Don't worry about it. I was a couple of minutes late myself. My excuse? I was talking to Jacob. He mentioned you are free to get out of here, Sunday right?"

"Yeah, I spoke with Janet and she told me that he said I could return to Seattle. Not sure, I'm value added at this point anyway. I don't have mad computer skills like you." I tried to make that last part sound playful, but it sounded like I was being guarded. Relax! Breathe damn it!

"You have skills Miss, don't cut yourself short."

We headed out into the Arizona sunshine, it was at least eighty degrees out, even at 6:00 PM. Seattle gloom and rain was going to suck compared to this. I was glad I decided on a light top and shorts, with anklet socks and white Sketchers. Paul was in shorts, a polo shirt, and tennis shoes. I was glad he also went the comfort route due to the walk ahead of us.

"I'm following you," he said when we made it to the curb.

"Think it's this way," and I started us in the direction of the setting sun.

"Anything new," I asked figuring we could maybe small talk first, and then see what organically rose to the surface with this little jaunt to the park I had run past him earlier.

He hesitated a second, "Yeah, pretty sure we know who the guy is."

What?! "Oh my God! That's great!" I was looking at him and his excitement about having told me the news put a permanent grin on his face.

"Yeah, I really didn't have much to do with it other than following that lead on the guy not being at the house because he went out for donuts. I started looking for places he could get them, gave the list to the FBI guys, they did some traffic camera stuff, compared the sketch artist renderings from the staff at the doctor's office, and they got a potential match at a grocery store about two miles from the Air BnB they were staying at. With a good screen shot of the guys face from the stores security camera they ran facial recognition and got nothing."

I must have looked confused. "But that's when Jacob mentioned you telling the Carson's what Amber had said about the guy was 'already on his way home' or something like that. One of the FBI analysts ran a search for air travelers to Santa Fe Regional Airport and there he was. Flight checks, customs, TSA, all of that searched and we found David James Lafleur - Canadian national. Criminal record including lewd contact with a minor and an arrest for soliciting a prostitute. He left Vancouver BC three days ago and returned yesterday on a modified ticket, he was going to be here until mid-next week. But we already kind of knew that from the Air BnB rental agreement. He had a ticket for her to accompany him..."

"Oh crap! That is creepy and an amazing breakthrough. The guy came all this way? Do they know anything else about him?"

"Works for a software development company doing logistics programming, divorced - coincidentally around the time of the soliciting arrest. Wild, huh?"

All that was wild, crazy, and certainly unexpected, but that he was going to get her out of the country somehow gave me a chill. How was it someone from another country makes contact with Amber, grooms her for a relationship, spends time and money to get here, convinces her to get breast implants, pays for them, and wants to escape back to Canada with her? Tell me that isn't one crazy list of happenings! What would have happened if she left the country with him?!

"Does she know yet?"

"No, they don't want her to make contact and warn him. The Carson's know, Jacob of course. This case has gone from Phoenix PD, to FBI, to Santa Fe PD, and now to the RCMP in Vancouver. I doubt this guy is going to get far. Not bad timing wise, the authorities should have him in their sights within a couple days. I have to monitor Amber's computer use to see if there is some other way they are communicating. She might create a new email account and if she knows his, might reach out. Or, could be there's someone to mediate their exchanges? We might not be out of the woods yet."

At least they know who he is and found that out pretty quickly. Until he was in custody I wouldn't be saying he was a shoe-in to be captured.

"God, I hope Amber isn't going to try and contact this guy. I'd like to see his ass behind bars and then throw away the key."

"Me too... I got the cliff note version of your talk with Amber from Jacob, what do you think? Is she going to be alright?"

We stopped at a corner to let a delivery truck get around a car stuck at a stop sign with its hood up for some kind of mechanical issue. When the truck passed we crossed and I replied, "She's going to need someone, a professional to talk with."

"No big sister, little sister connection then, eh?"

That kind of rubbed me wrong how he could make that statement about Amber and I, but ran away after kissing me last night. Sisters - doesn't that imply a couple girls - Trans girls at that? I thought about saying something, but I held my tongue because the 'us' conversation would start when he was ready. I just needed to be patient.

"No, not really. She's your typical millennial and has a rebellious streak I'm pretty sure. I'm five years older than her and she acts like I'm as old as Stephanie," I complained.

Paul assured me I didn't give off an old woman vibe, and then turned the conversation to the legal charges that might face this guy. Again he tossed out another example that was totally normal, expected, about who I was from his mouth! I gave him a look like he should expand on that train of thought, but he miss-read it and jumped into explaining how Jacob had done some work with a Canadian law firm and asked them to look into the law from their side.

That Amber was eighteen at the time of their physical contact, the time they had made their sex video, there could be trouble hitting the guy with anything more than a slap on the wrist. I wasn't sure of their laws, but they could be a similar to ours in this case. It made me sick to think this guy might not get everything that was coming to him.

The block before the park Paul began talking about working with the FBI. He was like a kid, giddy, geeky, and pumped about every aspect of it. He was sure he wouldn't have had such access, but because of Jacob and Landon's relationship concessions were made.

"You know their crypto abilities..."

I interrupted him midsentence, "That's interesting and all, but you've said a few things about me that make me wonder what you really think of me Paul." I'd waited long enough for him to start talking about last night and just couldn't hold my tongue any longer. What happened to his mind reading abilities?

He looked confused, "Like what?"

"For one,'Big sister' and something about not being an 'old woman'. How am I supposed to process that," I snapped a little too forcefully.

He looked like he didn't get the point I was trying to make, but attempted to put out the steam coming from my ears, "I'm not really sure what you mean, but I thought you might have had better luck with Amber since you two are closer in age." He gave up trying to pin words together into a cohesive explanation of his thought process.

"Do you mean we're both Trans, so that's the connecting bond we share?"

"Sure, no doubt that's something you two have in common. I just thought as women you could connect."

"There! That's what I want you to explain to me! We're both women and should connect. Do you really see us both as real women?" I was about done mincing words with him and felt my frustration being drawn out like a sword preparing for battle.

We caught a look from a couple walking a pathway around the park. I didn't care. Paul looked at a bench just ahead and motioned toward it. I followed him. After we sat he looked like he was trying to figure out my last question.

"Yes, I see you both as real women. Do I understand how this happens to people? No. Do I think it is real, absolutely."

"And last night? Good conversation all night, dinner, drinks, all the flirting..."

He was a little quieter, "All enjoyable, yes..."

"So, what the hell happened?"

Now Paul looked really uncomfortable. He had certainly thought about this meeting more than once over the last however many hours. Time to reveal the truth!

"I'm not sure..."

"Look, this is still new for me Paul. I've tried dating a few times in the past couple years, lots of communication, lots of trying to figure out if there was an attraction. Break this down for me, like, do I have a good personality?"

"Yes, I think you're very intelligent. You are caring, speak your mind. I like that you push back and don't just roll over when confronted."

That was insightful - not sure I speak my mind as much as I'd like, but I'll take that. "So, there's an attraction to my personality?"

"Of course, personality is part of what makes a person attractive."

"How about looks? I was good looking enough to kiss, right?"

"I kissed you, yes, I, I wanted to and I did."

There was a tinge of defense in his voice. "Are you gay?"

"No. I'm not gay and I don't care if people are or not," he said softly, but with a confidence that that told me 'gay' wasn't in the scope of what he was feeling about us.

"You identify me as a woman, though I'm not biologically one and you know that. You say you aren't gay; I'm not either by the way. You like my personality. You know more about me than anyone I've ever met. For the record I am not that person in any way, shape, or form from anything you may have seen or discovered about me online from over a couple years ago.

I had not been with a man, let alone a woman in over one and a half years, like what you may have found online. I've been on HRT for twenty months now and everything you see, that I present or represent as female is all me. After I have surgery to get rid of the last remaining reminder that I was born in the wrong body, well, I hope to God it's the last time I'll be questioned about who I really am."

I took a breath, watching his face as he was listening intently. "What were you afraid of Paul? We're beyond BS'ing each other, just tell me, please..."

He jumped in as my voice trailed off after that ask, "Elizabeth, this is new for me. Transgender or whatever, it's all new. I understand so little about the struggle, the journey you've gone through. I can't even fathom what this would be like for someone to feel trapped in the wrong body."

Nice, but no surprise most people don't get it. They don't get the unexplainable itch, tickle, that something about how you feel in the body you reside does not match what you feel inside. I was going to say that, but didn't want to control the direction of his answer. I moved my head ever so slightly as if to say, 'And?'

"I, I don't have all the answers Elizabeth. I look at you and I see a pretty woman with a strong, beautiful soul, and a spunky personality that I really like. I barely know you, and I truly do think those things. I feel, I don't know exactly how to explain, but I feel like I want to know more about you, who you really are. But, I know a lot about your past and it's not what I see in you now, but I've seen it. Does that make sense?"

Amber, if you could be sitting here listening to this, could feel my heart-ache, the pain of what could have been between Paul and I crumbling - you'd realize what I said about those choices you made coming back to fuck you up. Okay, this is now going where I expected it would, he's made up his mind and can't forgive my past.

"Yes, it makes sense Paul. I really... I do appreciate you sharing with me your thoughts and feelings. I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry, that I'm not proud of a lot of things I've done. I feel plenty of shame; probably will never really get over it. Thanks..." I stood, this conversation was over, and turned toward the park's entrance. Before I could take a first step away I felt him take my hand.

"Are we done," I heard him asking, through an intense ringing in my ears and a tear rolling down my face.

I couldn't walk away because he had hold of my hand, but I couldn't look at him either. I sensed he was standing now, then felt his arms wrap around me. All bets were off and the tears flowed uncontrollably.

March 11th, 7:47 PM

It took nearly five minutes to get fully composed, but Paul was patient. He held me until I was comfortable enough to stand there on my own and even gave me a few tissues. I must have had a questioning look about them and he told me they were for him, allergies he said. We eventually ended up sitting on the bench again. He refused to let my hand go and truth was I liked that but was a little confused. Hadn't he indicated this was just too much for him to absorb, get past?